Fluid-pressure controller.



T. O. PERRY.

FLUID PRESSURE CONTROLLER.

APPLIOATIOH FILED rn.4,1noa.

T. 0. PERRY.

FLUID PRESSURE GQNTROLLEB. APILIDATION IILBD rBB.4,1soa.

920,491. Patented May 4, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

EE L

WIT NfS 8.' INVENTOH T. 0. PERRY.

FLUID PRESSURE ooNTRoLLBR.

APPLIUATION FILED FEB.4,190H.

Patented May 4, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Fig. 6

INVENTR PATENT OFFICE.

PHAS l). PERRY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FLUID-PRESSURE CONTROLLER.

Specification of Lettere Patent.

Patented May 4, 1909.

Application filed February 4, 1908. Serial No. 414,289.

To all 'whom 'it may concern:

Be itknown that I, Tnmms O. PERRY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, lun-e invented u -new and useful Improvement in Fluid-Pressure Controllers, of which the following is n specifica-tion.

My Ainvention relates to improvements in luid pressure controllers for reversing signals, throttles and other reversible mechanisms, and, especially. for stopping and starting or regulating the speed of motors used to force fluid into a reservoir, so that the fluid pressure may be maintained within determinzible. 'maximum and minimum limits of tension; and the objects of my improvements are, first, to provide great reliability und positiveness of control; second, to secure control Within narrow ranges of Dessin-e; and third, to facilitate accurate n justrnent of bot-h the degree and the range of the. fluid pressure. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical section of the entire apparatus; Fig. 2, a vertical section of the extreme lower part of the. up stratus taken in a plane-at right unvles to t at of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, nu exterior s1 e View in elevation, omitting the extreme lower part of the :1ppamtus; Fig. 4, an exterior front View of the upper portion of the apparatus; Fin'. 5, :i sectional .plan of certain parts on the ne 5-.-5 of Fig. 3 and 4; and Fig, .6, a diagram illustrating the application of my invention.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The pipe, N. which lends from and may he considered s part of the nir reservoir, R, screws into ,a boss on the undeiside of the periphery of a circula-r casting, N. whose up# per surface, within the plain annular e- Y rxpherv, is Vcentrally concave. A iiexi le .partsof casting,

cont-rolling diaphragm P, is clamped between the upper plain periphery of casting, N, andthe under side ofcnsting, M, whose plaiuannula-r periphery and central concevity match and o pose the corresponding Din lu'ngm, P. is perforated Vntits 4center und) between .a diaphragm plate., Q. Vund nf-wu. er,

u, by; means of linut, n', which screwslon to` or central Ahub of plate, Q; 4reaching 11p 'through ille'gwerforetion inthe diaphragm( f Plug. Q. is yfilmed wthlii Pefferntf tightly clem edVV cavity in the u per extension of the hub of plate, Q, and ikewise n perforated plug, QF', is placed within n cavity in the lower extension of the hub. The plug, Q2, is loosely guided in :i cent-ral cylindrical opening, M4, in casting, M, und the ilug, Q", is loosely guided in n central cylinc rical opening in casting, N, so that the two plugs muy move vertically simultaneously in unison with any tiexure of the controlling diaphragm. It .should be undeismod that the plug QF und hub Q1 are each fitted to substantially fill the cylindrical opening M* with only sufficient looseness to enable them to move freely therein. This construction, while incapable of bein illustrated in the drawing. in practice enab es the nir from the duct M1 to slowly pass through the space surrounding said parts so as .to exert its pressure againstthe upper fside -o:E Yche diaphragm P as und for the purposefherein- .der describe. l

A small central air duct, M2, extends up from the central cylindrical opening of cust-in ,'M. A,'Iheflower end of duct, ,2, is

.closed n conical inlet valve,'1`,whoseste1n is loose y guided in the perforated plug, und has a flat head thrust u inst the "inner-end of the plug bv ineens o a -helicl buffet-spring, t, incl in the upper cavity of the hub -oiplatg Q. In like manner, un- .otherconil outlet vaine, T1, whose stern passes?` loosely through the perforatedplug, Q?, andinas-n flat. head over the inner end oft-he. plug is constantly thrust-downward bythe-helical buier spring, t. The -Stein of outlet valve, T, is also guided and reaches down for some distance through a tubular pendent, N, hanging from a cent1-alexterior boss 'of' casting, N, the conical outlet valve, T1, pmtruding .slightl below the l lower end o pendant. N1, whic is threaded a externally to receive the tension nut, X; and

spring, W', surrounds the pendant 'N1 and is A `compressed between the Athrust ring.

itensionn thereprin u p tfrungeunut, V. protru es shg tly below'the Q* und the tension Avnut, X, by menus of whiclitlie Y' is; re llated. The

cvlindrical terminal, R2, centered a inst the range nut by a shallow annular rib 1nclosing the lower end of the nut.

A small outlet duct, R, terminating centrail)I in the upper face of terminal, R, is normally closed by the conical outlet. valve, T, and communicates by means of a tiexible tube, R, with air duct, N, passing vertically thi-ou h the annular periphery of casting, N, an( thence with air duct, M?, throuvh the inclined duct, M. The other mchnedaduct, H1. allords communication between the central cylindrical o ning, ,M2 and the air supply pipe, N". l4 or convenience in adpisting the range nut, V, and holding its lower face against the upper face of the terminal, R1, these two faces are held together by means of a clamp, Y, Y1, Y2, y, of which, Y, is a. disk underneath the terminal R.

Y1, is a Hat ring resting on bop of the rauwe nut, V, and ooselv surrounding'the enldant, N 1. The disli, Y, and ring, g, are tied rigidly together on opposite sides by the ties, Y2. The center of the disk, Y. is pierced and threaded to receive the clampin screw, y, which, when loosened, allows the range nut, V, to he screwed up or down so as to raise or depress the terminal, R1. A small waste duet, R1, leads from the upper face of the terminal, R2, within the aperture of the range nut, V, to the open air.

It would be possible to dispense with the clamp, Y, Y1, Y2, y, if the flexible tube, R, wei-e also made to act as a sprin under tension pressing together the adloin faces of the terminal, R1, and fauve nut, As shown, the terminal, R2, is raised sutiicient-ly so that both the outlet duct, R, and the inlet duct, M2, are tightlv closed, by the tension of the buffer springs, t and t1, pressing against the two valve stem heads, one or both of which shonld be more or less sep` arated from the limiting plugs, Q, Q5, for all positions that the controlling diaphragm, l", may assume, so thatneit-her of the conical valves, T, T1. can be unseated without first seating the other.

The upper part of casting, M, terminates in a threaded neck, which screws into a boss, L1, on the under side of a casting, L, having a concave upper surface within a plain annular periphery, which is separated from a casting, K. concave on its under surface within a plain annular periphery. matching that of cesti e, L, by a flexible motor dia- Jhragm, l, w lose outer border is clamped etween the two annular borders by means of screws, Z2. Directly over castin K, at some distance, is a similar casting, whose concave surface faces upward and whose plain annular periphery is'niatched by. that of a castin A, concave underneath and rest. ing direct y upon casting. B, to which .it is scoured b v means of the =screws, Z. Castings B and K, arerigidly connected at their bordel-s by two pillars, E, E, placed dialnetricully o )posite each other, and secured b v means ofl the screws, Z3, Z. central circular opcninv' in casting, K, serves to loosel)v guide the tuiular shou der, m), of a thrust plate. nt, which rests upon the motor diaphragm, I. A similar central opening in casting, B, likewise serves to guide the tubular `shoulder, 111, of the thrust plate, I). The two thrust plates, I1 and m., butt against opposite ends of a connecting tube, O, whose extremities are inclosed for some distance bv the tubular shoulders, b1, m1, leavin between these shoulders a considerable Lnterval. Both thrust plates thus connected are adapted to move tovether verticallv through a distance limited by their inclosing chum- Two vertical posts, b2, be, pass loosely through the wall of casting, A, and r'vidly connect the thrust plate, b, with a 4tlrust ring, b3, located centrally over casting, A, from which a cylindrical standard, A1, rises through the thrust ring and is threaded at its upper end to receive a thrust nut, C, between which and the thrust ring, b, a helical revers-in sring, D, is compressed around the stun ar A hollow cylindrical cagc, J, has narrow internal flanges, J1, J2, at each end, which are guided loosely upon the tubular shoulders, L1 and m1, the flange, J1, part of a cap screwed onto the lower end of the cave. Butter washers, S1, loosely ttin the 1nterior of the cage, J, and the exterlor of the connecting tube, O, are. constantly thrust apart b v a helical snap spring, S, compressed between the washers within the annular space around the interior of the cage, J, and exterior of tube. O, the outward movement of the washers being limited either bv the internal lia J1, J, or bv the tubular shoulders, b1,-m1, which are adapted to com- Bress the snap spring from either above or elow to the extent of their limited movements The tension of the sna spring, S,

must always be less than that o the reversing spring. D. Midway between castings. B, and K, a snap lever, G, is fulcrumed at one end to a pendent fulcrum. g, suspended beneath the periphery of casting, B, on one side, by means o the screw, Z1, and between its extremities this snap lever divides and is connected to opposite sides of the motor cage. J, by means of pivotal trunnions, G", which are midway between the ends of the cage, and are adapted to move equally above an below a horizontal plane containing the fulcrum axis, g1. Near the other extremity of the lever, G. on the opposite side of the ca from the fulcrum, are pivoted the lower en s of two links, f, f, on either side, these links at their upper ends beingpvoted to the .ends of arms.' F, F', whic. extend to one side from a rock shaft, F, having hearare attached the terminals of two wires, r2 r, forming part of an electric circuit b which the actuating current is conducto through the electric motor, M". For closing the electric circuit, a switch, p preferably iliade of elastic sheet bronze, bent in the form of an inverted letter U, is adapted to sian with its terminals the space between the parallel interior surfaces of the contact ilates, l, 1.4. and ness against them firmly ay reason of its elasticity. This switch, p, is carried between the outer ends of two flat arms made of insulating fiber, r., h, by means of two pins, la", ha, which pierce the switch loosely near its inner bent part and are secured in holes through the liber by heads and keys.- The inner heads of these ber arms` l1, la, are pierced to receive the end, F1, of shaft, F, and are riveted avainst opposite sides of a hub, a, which is eved to the shaft end, F1, in such position that the switch, p, will be carried into contact between the contact plates, k, k1, whenever snap lever. G, moves downward, and will be carried out away from the contact plates whenever the lever, G, moves upward, as indicated by the broken lines. Thus the electric circuit is broken by increase of air pressure in the reservoir, stopping the motor, and is made again through dmnnution of pressure restarting the motor as required. The contact plates, k, 1:1, are bent outward where the switcl p, enters between thc-ln so that the entrance may be effected easily with a glancinuinitial contact. The switch, p, has a slid' contact for considerable distance, bot in making and breaking the electric circuit, and the con' tact is neither made nor broken at the instant of unlatching the snap lever, G, but after the snap sprm S, has gained great momentum, so that ghe contacts are made and broken with extreme abruptne, as is very desirable in some cases. In other cases, if 1t should be desirable to have a slow movement of the lever, G. in one direction, one of the latches, as H, for example, might be omitted; then if the duct, M, is made suiliciently small in area, the fluid pressure will escape underneath diaphragm, l, slowly compellin a slow downward movement of the lever. r, without m theleast abbreviating the celerity of the u )ward movement. Slow movements'in both irections may be el'ected by omitting both latches. H, I, and these reverse movements. up and down, may he timed independently of each other by simply regulating the area of duct, M1, for the upward movement of lthe lever, G, and the area of, M, for the downward movement. If both of the latches, H, I, should be omitted in order to eil'ect slow movement in special cases, the snap spripg, S would not yield and might. be dlspens with by securmg the opposite ends of cage, J, to the tubularshoulders, b1, m. This would also render useless the guide tube, O, which is not an absolute necessity, even when the snap spring is used as shown.

'l he starting and stoppinv of some kinds of electric motors require the making and breaking of two separate electric circuits, and it is sometimes required in single electric circuits that the motor shall be entirely cut ott' from electrical connection by breaking the circuit in two places. As shown in Fig. 3, both ends, F', of the rock shaft. I", may carry electric switches, p, p, to o )crate in connection with contact plates, le, attached in precisely the same manner ond opposite Isides of casting, K. 0r one of the ends of rock shaft, F, may carr a switch to control an electric motor and t ie other ter- ;nirliil maly copnecft direct-ly with the conro mg tirott e o a ressure su l i e. As illustrated in Figspl and 6, thgllei'eilli, may be directly connected with throttles, valves, signals, etc., without the intervention of the rock lever, F, which is used as a convenience of form and to obtain Greater anllar movement than lever, G, directly afords.

Another application of my invention is to shut oil delivery of air from reservoir, R, whenever the tension falls below a desired limit. or below a degree of tension required to effectively o erate any mechanism to which compresser air may be applied as the actuating medium. For this purpose, let R9, represent the delivery pipe whose controlling throttle, E, is directly connected with the snap lever, G, by means of the link, Throttle, E, in this case, must close when snap lever, G, is depressed and open with the contrary movement. Reservoir, R", may be supplied with fluid pressure either by the mmp, C, or from any other source, throng the pi R".

In still another app ication of this invention. let R represent either a closed water tank or a stand pipe, in which water may rise considerably above the level of the controller, so that 'the fluid tension may bedue either to com ressed air entrap ed above the surface o the water or to t e natural head of water in the stand pipe. lVater, in this case, is supplied to the reservoir throu h the pi R, whose throttle, E, must e open whenever snap lever, G, is depressed and closed with the contrary movement.

Without limiting myself to the aforesaid illustrations, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

t. In a fluid pressure controller, the combinntion of inlet and outlet ports, inlet and outlet valves adapted to seat against said ports and to be unseated therefrom, a diaphragm ada ted to seat one and unseat .the other of sui valves by exure in one direction either way, flexible connectlons hetween said diaphragm and said valves whereby either valve. after seating, may yield and allow unscating of the other valve, a supply duct to convey tluid pressure against one side of said diaphragm, and a tension spring which reacts against said diaphragm contrary to the fluid pressure, substantially as herein sct forth.

2. In a fluid pressure controller, the combination of inlet. and outlet ports, inlet and outlet valves, adapted to scat against said ports and to withdraw therefrom, a diaphragm ada )ted to seat one and unseat the other of sai` valves by flexure in one direction either way, butter connections, whereby the liexure of said diaphragm may continue in the same direction after either of said valves is seated, a supply duct to convey Huid pressulc against one side of said diaphragm, and a tension spring which reacts against said diaphravm contrary to the fluid piesslue, substantially as herein set forth.

3. In a liuid pressure controller, the coinbination of inlet and outlet port-s, inlet and outlet valves ada ted to seat against said ports, or to wit idr-atv therefrom, a diaphragm ada ted to seat. one and unseatthe other of sai valves by tlexure in one direction either Way, buffer springs, subject to compression by the seating of said valves, a supply duct adapted to convey tluid pressure against one side of said diaphragm, and a tension spring which reacts against said diaphragm contrary to the tluid pressure, substantially as herein set forth.

4. In a fluid pressure controller, the combination of inletand outlet ports, inlet and outlet valves ada )ted to seat against said ports. or to wit draw therefrom, a dim phragm adapted to seat one and unseat the other of said valves by lexure in one direction either way, bu'ler springs under tension subject to further compression by the seatin' of said valves, limiting stops to hold sai butler sp1-iu under tension after the unseating of said valves, a supply ductadapted to convey tluid pressure against one side of said diaphragm, and a tension spring which reacts against said diaphragm contrary to the fluid pressure, substa nlially as herein set forth.

In a tluid pressure controller. the combination of inlet and outlet ports, inlet and outlet valves ada tcd to seat against said ports, or to wit idrmv therefrom, a diaphragm ada ted to sent one and unseat the other of sai valves b flexure in one direc; tion either way. bu er sprinfys subject to impression by the seating o? said valves, a supply duct for admitting;r fluid pressure against one side of said diaphragm, a tension spring which reacts against said diaphragm contrary to the fluid pressure, and means for adjusting the amplitude of fiexure required of said diaphragm between the seating of .reacts against said diaphraim 5' one and the unseating of the other of said valves, substantially' as herein set forth.

ln a tluid press-:luc controller, the combination of inlet and outlet ports, inlet and outlet valves adapted to seat against said ports or to withdraw therefrom. a diaphragm adapted to scat ore and unseat the other of said valves by tlexure in one direction either ivay, buffer sprin subjectto compression by the seating o said valves, a supply duct for admitting tluid pressure against one side of said diaphragm, a tension spring which reacts against said diaphragm conti-ar f to the fluid pressure, and means for adjusting longitudinally the position of one of said ports 1n the direction of the seating' or uuseating movement of its valve, substantially as herein set forth.

i'. In a fluid pressure controller, the combination of an inlet port and an outlet port oppositely placed facing inward, inlet and outlet. valves adapted to sea-t outwardly against said ports. or to withdraw inwardly' therefrom. an inlet duct leading from said inlet port to reversinoj mechanism, to operated thereby an outlet. duct leading from said inlet duct to said outlet port, a diaphragm located between said valves and adapted to seat one valve and unseat the other by tiexure. in one direction either way, butler springs subject to compression by the seating of said valves, a supply duct for admitting lluid pressure against one side of said diaphragm, and a tension spring which y contrary to the tiuid pressure, lsubstantia as herein set forth.

8. In a tluid pressure controller, the comi bnation of an inletport and an outlet port. oppositely placed facing inward. inlet and outlet valves adapted to seat outwardly avainst said ports, or to Withdraw inwardly therefrom. an inlet duct leading from said inlet port to reversing mechanism to be operated, an outlet duct leading from said beso inlet duct to said outlet port, a diaphragm located between said valves and adapted to scat one valve and nnseatthe other by tlexure in one direction either way, buffer springs subject to com iression by the seating of said valves, a supp y duct for admitting fluid pressure against one side of diaphragm contrary to the. fluid pressure. and means for adjusting the distance between said oppositely placed ports, substantially as, and for the purpose herein set forth.

9. In a fluid ressure controller, the combination of an inlet port and an outlet port oppositely piaceri facing inward, inlet and outletl valves adapted to seat outwardly a minst said ports cr to withdraw inwardly t ierefrom reversing mechanism, an inlet duct leading from said inlet yort to said re versing mechanism, a flexible tubular outlet duct interposed bet-weon said outlet port and said inlet duct, a diaphragm located between said valves and ada ted to seat one valve and unseat the other y flexure in one direct-ion either wa f, butter springs subject to com ression by t ie seating of said valves, a supp y pipe for admitting fluid pressure against one side of said diaphragm, a tension spring which reacts against said diaphragm contrary to the iiuld pressure and means for adjusting the position of said outlet port in the direction, or away from said op ositel placed inlet port, substantially as an for t ie purpose herein set forth.

10. In a fluid pressure controller-,the combination with means for controllin the inflow and esca e of ressnre Huid, o a motor dia hragm adap to be flexed by pressure of nid against one side, a reverslng spring reacti against said diaphragm contrary to the uid pressure, a snap spring adapted to receive compression from o posite directions, connections whereby sai snap spring is compressed in one direct-ion by said diahragm tlexure and in the opposite direction y said reversing spring, a snap lever reversihle in movement through the action of the snap spring, retaining latches adapted to hold the snap lever from opposite directions v'vhi-le the snap spring being compressed, and mechanism whereby said latches are released after compression of said snap spring, Substantially as herein set forth.

11. In a fluid preure controller, the combination with means for controlli the intlow and escape of Huid prenre, o a motor having reciprocating parts operable by the admission and esca e of said fluid pressure, a snap lever adapt toreceive reverse movements, elastic actuati connection between said snap lever an( said reciprocating parts, retaining mechanism adapted to interrupt the movement of said sua lever during part of the movement of sai reciprocating parts, and means for disen ging said retaini 0* mechanism after t-her J I movement o said reciprocating parts,

whereby the power stored in Said elastic ac mating connection' is released to effect a quick movement of said snap' lever, substantially as heieiu set. forth.

1;. ln a fluid pressure controllenthe combination with means for controlling the intioiv and escape of fluid pressure, of a motor having reciprocating' parts operable by the admission and escape of said fluid pressure, a snap lever adapted to receive reverse movements, a snap spring carried by said snap lever and adapted to receive compression by the action of said reciprocatingr parts, retaining mechanism adapted to interruptthe movement of said sna lever during part of the movement of sai reciprocating parts. and means for diseno'aging .said retainin r mechanism after Further movement o said reciprocating parts, wherein' the power stored in said snap spring is released to eil'ect. a quick movement of said snap lever. substantially as herein set forth.

12?. In a fluid pressure controller, the combination with means for controlli U the inflow und escape of fluid pressure, o a motor having reciprocating parts operable by the admission and esca e of said tluid pressure, a snap leve` adapt to receive reverse movements, a snap spring carried by said snap lever and adapted to yield through contact with said reciprocating parts, retaining mechanism adapted to interrupt the movement of said snap lever during part. of the movement of sai reciprocating parts, and means for dim vfag-ing said retainmvr mechanism after uliltlier movement of sai reciprocating parts, whereby the power stored m said snap spring is released to effect a qucl; movement of said snap lever, substantially as herein set forth.

THOMAS O. PERRY.

Witnesses:

GRACE R. Brown, HERBERT J. Dar. 

